Lawmakers consider cap on coastal jetties if new bill passes

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — House members want to limit the number of coastal jetties that could be built if legislation passes allowing coastal communities to build hardened structures.

The House Environment Committee agreed Thursday to authorize coastal regulators to permit up to three such projects – two paid for by local governments and one by private sources. The committee agreed to alter the bill that had already passed the Senate and placed no limits on the number of projects.

The House changes also would prevent cities and counties from borrowing money for a project without voter approval.

The measure, heading to the House, would end a 25-year ban on new jetties.

Supporters say the measure would protect inlets and development from encroaching surf while environmentalists say jetties don’t work and will cost millions of dollars.

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Environmentalists are right, jetties don’t work. The problem is that these beaches were never meant to stay in one location. Jetties deteriorate a beach more than they help it. It would cost much less to just move the development that was built on unstable ground.

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Chris

2015 years 8 months ago

Well,the bottom line is that no homes should be built on unstable ground,INCLUDING oceanfront! Those that take the risk,should also pay the price,the citizens should not be expected to foot the bill so Mr I have money and you dont,can have his beachfront house! As for jettys,I am never one who says look how we did it up north but in this case,it warrants it! Lets take NJ,everywhere there is a series of jettys,there is very little beach,its a fact! Then lets look at Wildwood Crest,NJ at the southern tip of the state,not a jetty in sight and the beach grows an average of a foot a year! Lets get the houses off the shifting sand and let mother nature do what she is going to do anyway.